You have probably heard of cast iron cookware and its many benefits, but if you haven’t heard about Griswold cast iron cooking products, you’re in for a real treat. The company shut down about 65 years ago and perhaps it’s only human nature that we become nostalgic. Old Griswold products are now among some of the most sought-after vintage cast iron cookware.
Griswold Dutch ovens and skillets remain widely used all over the US for much more than nostalgia. It’s because they are ultra-durable, and they provide an excellent way of cooking traditional recipes. Try one and you will see the difference in the taste and the enjoyment of cooking.
Best Griswold Cast Iron Reviews
Vintage Griswold ERIE No. 7 Cast Iron Skillet
The No.7 cast iron skillet by Griswold made its way into countless homes about a century ago. It’s still a high-quality product that will provide excellent tasting dinners and breakfasts for decades to come.
Review
Finding Griswold skillets that are still good enough to be used in the kitchen is easier said than done. More than half a century has passed since the company closed up shop. However, some online sellers do their best to find and restore Griswold skillets to their old glory. This No.7 skillet is in fantastic shape, and with care, it is projected to remain so for decades to come.
The skillet is 9.5 inches in diameter, so it’s a medium-sized cast iron skillet ideal for gas and electric stovetops. There’s a small fracture on the right side of the handle, but other than that, the skillet is in pristine condition. The current owner did a great job of cleaning it of 100 years of residue, and he even added a new coat of seasoning, so you’ll be able to use it the moment it arrives. Looking at the impressive craftsmanship of these skillets, it’s hard to believe they were made so many decades ago.
The bottom of the skillet has warped a bit, so it might wobble on a flat surface if you whip food around in it with force. Even so, the wobble is slight and won’t affect the cooking that much at all. Get this skillet and your food can have a distinctive traditional taste whenever you cook with this skillet and you’ll also get to admire the 100-year-old patina when it’s not in use.
Pros
- Excellent shape
- Medium-sized
- Long handle
- Affordable
- Cleaned and re-seasoned
Cons
- A bit wobbly
- Small crack on the handle
Vintage Griswold No.8 Self-Basting Cast Iron Lid
Those who own a Griswold No.8 skillet are going to love this matching self-basting cast iron lid that fits the skillet perfectly. It provides a broader range of cooking options and recipes for use with traditional cast iron cookware.
Review
Finding a Griswold skillet with a lid is like finding a needle in a haystack. Many decades have passed since Griswold products rolled out of the factory, so you can’t expect to find complete combos that often. However, if you already own a No.8 skillet, this lid will be precisely what you need to expand your cooking options. It’s also a great opportunity to grab this lid and then shop for the matching skillet at the same time.
The lid and skillet go together perfectly. The only difference is that this particular lid is chrome and now looks like a nickel finish, which is very hard to come by. It was made somewhere between 1925 and 1930 as the other generations of Griswold products didn’t have the shiny finish. The lid is in excellent condition, even though it comes with a visible decades-old patina. However, there are no cracks or chips, and the top works just like it did 80 years ago.
Some people buy Griswold products as decoration for their kitchens, restaurants, and dining rooms, and this piece would be great for that. It’s a high-quality product that’s survived decades of use, and it can still be used for years and years. Griswold cast iron cookware is still unsurpassed by many modern manufacturers.
Pros
- Chrome finish
- Self-basting lid
- Fits skillet No.8
- No visible damage
- Very stylish
Cons
- May need additional cleaning
Griswold Erie #3 Dutch Oven Kettle Pot #785 Yankee Bowl
The Erie-era #3 Yankee Bowl is one of the rarest Griswold cast iron products because it’s very old and it was not mass-produced like today’s skillets and Dutch ovens. Older Griswold products say ‘Erie’ (where the factory was located) on the bottom instead of Griswold.
Review
You can tell right away that this Dutch oven has seen a lot of fires and cookouts. It shows visible signs of wear and tear and a distinctive patina that would require decades to build up. It’s a cast iron Dutch oven that needs some extra elbow grease and restoration to return to its old glory. The primitive rustic design is appealing for chefs and amateurs who are into traditional cookware.
The Erie model #785 came pre-seasoned and finished in black cast iron, but this one has lost its shine. However, all of the features, including the loop handle, are original, but they are rusted and need some cleaning. But, if you want to use this Dutch oven as decoration for your kitchen, you can just leave it is.
Considering how old and rare this Yankee Bowl is, it’s a real bargain for everyone who knows a thing or two about Griswold. It will take some effort to remove the rust, and you’ll also have to apply a new layer of seasoning, but this Dutch oven can still be used to cook stews for your friends and family.
Pros
- Rare
- No cracks
- Original loop handle
- Sits flat
Cons
- Rusted and needs restoration
Griswold Cast Iron Skillet #3 709A Large Block Logo
The large block logo Griswold No.3 skillet was made between 1920 and 1940. It’s one of the later models, exceedingly popular in its days. It’s now attained a collectible status and highly sought after by traditional chefs and amateurs alike.
Review
Griswold skillets come in a number of sizes, and the No.3 is one of the smallest in the collection. It measures 7-1/8″ in diameter from one sprout to the other. It works on gas and electric stovetops, but you can also use it on an open fire. The skillet has a 4” long teardrop handle. It’s easy to handle even when hot. The skillet is 1-1/4-inches deep, giving you plenty of cooking options other than frying eggs and making pancakes.
The overall condition of the skillet is impressive, given that it’s over 70 years old. There are no visible cracks or chips, and the bottom sits flat and steady on your stove. Griswold cast iron skillets like this one retain their structural integrity even after decades of heavy use, which is unimaginable for most modern cast iron cookware. This skillet is clean and seasoned, so it’s ready for use right out of the box. It’s the ideal cast iron cookware for everyone who is looking to prepare all kinds of dishes the traditional way.
Pros
- Great condition
- Longer handle
- Pre-seasoned
- Clean
Cons
- Minor signs of wear and tear
Cast Iron Griswold No.8 Tite Top Dutch Oven Slant Logo Pan Roaster 833
Griswold’s No.8 tite top Dutch oven 833 was patented in February 1920. It’s a rare high-quality cast iron Dutch oven that still has the original lid. It’s in excellent condition, and it’s ready for use to cook stews and soups for many more years.
Review
If you are looking for an antique Dutch oven to prepare your favorite recipes traditionally, this size 8 Tite Top oven by Griswold is as good as they get. It’s in excellent condition with negligible signs of wear and tear considering that it’s at least 80 years old. The pot is 4″ deep and 9.5″ wide, so it’s large enough to cook a meal for a family of four.
The inside of the pot shows some signs of scratching, but it has been thoroughly cleaned out and re-seasoned. It’s ready to hit the stove right away. The pot works on all heat sources, but it may damage ceramic stovetops, so stick to gas and electric versions and open fire.
That’s due to the slight wobble caused by minor warping over the decades. You may find that even brand new cast iron Dutch ovens have a more significant wobble, so that shouldn’t be a big problem. The lid fits the oven correctly, and it’s quite heavy, so it’s not going to move while you cook. It has a large loop handle in the middle, but make sure you use mitts when it’s hot to prevent injuries.
Pros
- Good condition
- Lid included
- Pre-seasoned
- 3-day return
- At least 80 years old
Cons
- Slight wobble
Final Verdict
Griswold cast iron cooking products are still sought after by many traditional chefs and amateurs alike. These pots and pans were made a century ago give or take, but they still outperform most modern cookware. Since this cookware is so old, it’s been used many times to prepare all kinds of recipes, so it comes with a unique antique patina you can’t get with new cookware.
You can find high-quality skillets and Dutch ovens at affordable prices. If you already own Griswold products, you know how durable and reliable they are, and if you’re looking for your first purchase, any of the products above would be a great place to start your traditional cookware collection.